Page 14 - KZN Top Business Women 2022 Powed by DRG & BusinessFit SA

TRULY INSPIRATIONAL ensure your integrity is intact, and you live your
CAROL COETZEE, HEAD OF DEPARTMENT values and ethics, even difficult people will see
OF PROVISIONAL TREASURY FOR Reflecting on who has inspired her, Carol that what you are saying is correct and they will
KWAZULU-NATAL said that she was privileged to meet Grant respect you for it.”
Oosthuizen who is an incredible young man.
AROL COETZEE is the Head of He is severely handicapped (though he would Carol says that she probably has about ten
Department of Provisional Treasury for not like me saying that) and can only manage to years left in the public sector before she
KwaZulu-Natal. She has been a public control the movement of one organ of his body retires. In this time, she would really like to
Cservant for 30 years and has had many and that’s a toe. However, he charges around change the way that government is perceived.
accomplishments that have been at a policy and in his wheelchair, is a graphic designer, plays She says that she wants tackle the issue of
strategic programmes level. bowls for South Africa, and does ballroom corruption through putting proper systems
dancing and anything his heart desires. in place, holding people accountable through
Many people won’t necessarily know what empowerment, and ensuring that there is
the implications of these policies have been. “There is nothing that stops Grant,” explains consequence management.
However, one of them was the development Carol. “He is the most happy, respectful person
of Operation Sukuma Sakhe, which became a I have ever met. He does not let anyone stop She added that she wants to professionalise
the public sector. “I encourage young graduates
him; he is amazing. He started an NGO called
policy directive for the entire country. The goal
was to bring government departments together Get Inspired, where other disabled people are to join the public sector and to change how
at community level. If a family, for example, taught to make arts and crafts so they can earn government is perceived. It’s a privilege to be
needed to access a grant but did not have an income and lead dignified lives. Whenever, a government official and we are here to serve
identity documents, the relevant documents I have a bad day, I think of him, this is someone the public. It’s not only the right thing to do, but
would be brought together to provide a holistic that is truly inspirational as he has overcome we have a mammoth responsibility to change
solution to the household rather than having to substantial hurdles in his life with a smile on the lives of our communities.”
go to three to four government buildings, which his face.” Being a female still has several challenges, says
is unaffordable for many rural communities. A BUMPY ROAD Carol, irrespective of what sector you enter.
“That was a great initiative and we have seen Young women must seize opportunities, don’t
the impact in terms of addressing some of Carol said that over the last 30 years she has be afraid to take on something you have never
the societal issues at a ward level including had a bumpy road including both personal and done before. “I went into the film industry as a
improved integrated planning across the work challenges. “On a personal side, I had CEO of a brand new entity, with no knowledge
different spheres of government,” says Carol. major back surgery, which required me to be of the sector, it was an amazing experience, so
out of the office for two – three months. That be open to new experiences.”
Carol commented that she most enjoys socio- really humbled me as well. It made me realise
economic development achievements, where that mental health is important because at the “You need to be passionate and have empathy
they reach out to communities and measurable time I was in hospital, they couldn’t diagnose the for your team. That’s what I have learnt over
impact can be seen. underlying cause of my health challenges post the years, spend time and create a better
the major operation of fusing nine vertebra. I relationship with your staff. You need to be
“During FIFA 2010 World Cup, we made sure
we had public viewing areas, so people out in was frustrated and humiliated by the way I had respectful of who you are working with and
to be washed in bed, and was in a very dark
be professional because you will not succeed
the far-flung areas were able to enjoy the hype
and watch the soccer on big screens and all space. I was visited by a psychiatrist who came on your own. I always say, don’t be on time, be
come together. The other achievements are to talk to me, which was the first time I realised early. Being a chartered accountant, sets that
the creches that we have been able to help. how crucial mental health is for anyone. I foundation, you have certain ethics and values
They were in shocking conditions, they had pit still to this day, if I am facing a challenge seek that you will always have in place by the nature
latrines, and we are talking about little ones professional help. Making sure I stay healthy of the training and the profession.”
from 0 – 5 years old, without educational toys and fit is important given my pressurised job.” Carol says that when she does have time to
to play with. I thoroughly enjoyed going into When it came to her career, Carol has had to relax, she loves the outdoors, going for a hike
those communities and seeing the change in make tough decisions while working with hard- in the berg, or a long walk along the beach. She
terms of giving those little ones a head-start core leaders. She says, “I think what is important added, “I love game parks, I read quite a bit, I
with proper facilities and providing teachers is to be able to say no at the right time and to love photography and I go to Splashy Fen every
with a formal setting to build a good foundation give alternative solutions rather than being year, which is my time to thoroughly unwind
for these future generations.” viewed as obstructing. I think as long as you and enjoy local music.”

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